DDPC Funds P&A Ombudsman Project

The Protection and Advocacy System is pleased to announce the start-up of its Ombudsman Project, funded by a grant from the State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. This project will assist clients of the developmental disability service system in New Mexico, and their parents or guardians as appropriate, to resolve problems or concerns with their service plans or the delivery of services, and to protect their rights within the service system. The Ombudsman Project is designed to address Goal #2 within the State Plan of the N.M. Developmental Disabilities Planning Council: "To increase the capacity of State and local systems to increase individuals' and families' opportunities that promote independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community." The amount of the DDPC grant is $94,840 for the first year of what may be a three year project.

The Ombudsman Project will respond to consumer/guardian concerns over placement issues, development of appropriate service plans, implementation of needed services, or violations of client rights by service provider agencies. Ombudsman services will be directed to persons with developmental disabilities or brain injuries served through the DD Waiver, State General Funds DD program, the Brain Injury program of the Department of Health, and to residents of Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded.

The Ombudsman Project will serve all residents of ICF/MR facilities. Within the rest of the target population, services will be provided only in the following regions and communities: San Juan and McKinley Counties; San Miguel County; the Albuquerque metropolitan area; and a fourth site to include either Doña Ana County or Chavez County. Services in the San Juan/McKinley County area will be provided through the Native American Protection and Advocacy Project as part of a collaborative effort.

Ombudsman staff will provide information, advice, and self-help materials; provide informal advocacy assistance through participation in meetings to develop or amend Individual Service Plans; negotiate for service plan improvement or for commitment to deliver needed services; directly assist consumers or guardians in grievance or other dispute resolution procedures; and if necessary, make referrals for legal assistance.

If you have a problem with the service delivery system, and need assistance from the Ombudsman project , please call us at 256-3100, in the metro Albuquerque area, or 1-800-432-4682, toll-free in New Mexico.